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EP0510583B2 - Connecteur électrique - Google Patents

Connecteur électrique Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0510583B2
EP0510583B2 EP92106798A EP92106798A EP0510583B2 EP 0510583 B2 EP0510583 B2 EP 0510583B2 EP 92106798 A EP92106798 A EP 92106798A EP 92106798 A EP92106798 A EP 92106798A EP 0510583 B2 EP0510583 B2 EP 0510583B2
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
terminal block
wall
terminals
cavities
connector
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
EP92106798A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Other versions
EP0510583B1 (fr
EP0510583A2 (fr
EP0510583A3 (en
Inventor
Mario Aimasso
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
FCI Italia SpA
Original Assignee
Framatome Connectors Italia SpA
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Family has litigation
First worldwide family litigation filed litigation Critical https://patents.darts-ip.com/?family=11408916&utm_source=google_patent&utm_medium=platform_link&utm_campaign=public_patent_search&patent=EP0510583(B2) "Global patent litigation dataset” by Darts-ip is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Application filed by Framatome Connectors Italia SpA filed Critical Framatome Connectors Italia SpA
Publication of EP0510583A2 publication Critical patent/EP0510583A2/fr
Publication of EP0510583A3 publication Critical patent/EP0510583A3/en
Publication of EP0510583B1 publication Critical patent/EP0510583B1/fr
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP0510583B2 publication Critical patent/EP0510583B2/fr
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
    • H01R13/00—Details of coupling devices of the kinds covered by groups H01R12/70 or H01R24/00 - H01R33/00
    • H01R13/40—Securing contact members in or to a base or case; Insulating of contact members
    • H01R13/42—Securing in a demountable manner
    • H01R13/436—Securing a plurality of contact members by one locking piece or operation
    • H01R13/4367—Insertion of locking piece from the rear

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to an electric connector, particularly for connecting an electronic control system to the electric system of a motor vehicle.
  • Known connectors of the aforementioned type substantially comprise a terminal block made of insulating material and having a number of cavities, each housing a terminal; and an outer casing housing the terminal block and having retaining means for fitment to the vehicle.
  • Connectors of this type are known, for example, from DE-C3-2 354 795, EP-BI-0 003 649, DE-A1-2 849 077, WO-A1-90/06603.
  • the cavities on the terminal block are typically arranged in two side by side rows. Provision is made for retaining means for retaining the terminals inside the cavities.
  • the retaining means consist of a pair of comb elements mounted on opposite sides of the block and held in place by the casing.
  • the comb elements present a number of teeth engaging through seats formed in the body and corresponding with the cavities. The teeth therefore penetrate partially inside the cavities, and cooperate with respective mating portions of the terminals.
  • the terminals are retained in the cavities only by the comb elements; therefore, they must be held in place while assembling the comb elements. Furthermore, should one of the comb elements fail to be inserted at the assembly stage, this does not prevent insertion of the terminal block inside the casing, and the absence of the comb element goes undetected, especially if assembly is performed automatically. The terminals are therefore not retained inside the cavities.
  • US-A-4 200 350 relates to a connector having an external casing and a body housed therein and defining a plurality of cavities for respective terminals.
  • the body is provided with hinged flaps which prevent withdrawal of the terminals, when closed; the terminals are therefore free to be withdrawn until the flaps are closed, and must be held in place while the connector is assembled.
  • Number 1 in Fig.1 indicates a connector having a large number of ways and particularly designed for connecting an electronic control system to the electric system of a motor vehicle.
  • Connector 1 substantially consists of a terminal block 2 and an outer casing 3 housing block 2.
  • Terminal block 2 is substantially in the form of an elongated parallelepipedon, and is defined by a pair of lateral walls 4.
  • Block 2 defines a number of through cavities 5 arranged in two rows parallel and adjacent to lateral walls 4, and extending parallel to the shorter side of walls 4.
  • Lateral walls 4 define a number of elastic teeth 6 extending inside respective cavities 5 and constituting primary connecting means for respective known electric terminals 11, one of which is shown schematically by the dotted line in Fig.s 1 and 3.
  • terminal block 2 From one axial end of terminal block 2, there extends longitudinally a plate 7 perpendicular to cavities 5 and having a projection 8 at one end, with an axial hole 9 for assembly to casing 3 as described later on.
  • rib 10 having a section substantially in the form of an upside down T with two flat lateral wings 10a, and a transverse wall 14 at one end for closing casing 3.
  • transverse wall 14 From the side of wall 14 facing cables 12 connected to terminals 11, there projects a half shell 16 having a semi-elliptical section and the function of which will be explained later on.
  • Transverse wall 14 also presents an outer tooth 22 for clicking connector 1 to a terminal board.
  • each lateral wall 4 of terminal block 2 presents a through opening 16 in the form of a longitudinally elongated rectangle and communicating with all the cavities 5 adjacent to wall 4.
  • a longer side of opening 16 is fitted integral with a comb element 19 having a substantially L-shaped cross section.
  • Each comb element 19 comprises a number of teeth 20 (Fig.3) penetrating inside respective cavities 5 and cooperating with a mating portion of terminals 11 for preventing withdrawal of the same as described later on.
  • each comb element 19 comprises a wall 21, a longitudinal side of which is connected to the side of opening 16 by means of elastic hinge 18; and a wall 24 extending perpendicularly from the opposite side of wall 21 and outwards of block 2.
  • Teeth 20 extend parallel to wall 24, from the joining edge of walls 21 and 24.
  • terminal block 2 is shown in the molding position, wherein walls 21 of comb elements 19 slope substantially 45° outwards of block 2.
  • elements 19 may be fumed about elastic hinges 18, so that walls 21 close openings 16, and walls 24 extend laterally, perpendicular to walls 4 and coplanar with plate 7 and lateral wings 10a of T-section rib 10.
  • teeth 20 of comb elements 19 penetrate inside respective cavities 5, and cooperate with respective mating portions of terminals 11 for preventing axial withdrawal of the same from cavities 5.
  • Outer casing 3 of the connector is elongated in shape, with a substantially U-shaped cross section, and is defined laterally by a pair of parallel, substantially flat walls 26, by a top wall 27, and by an end wall 28 having a hook-shaped elastic outer element 29 for connection to the terminal board.
  • End wall 28 also presents a through hole 30 for securing terminal block 2 inside casing 3 by means of a screw 31.
  • casing 3 presents an opening 23 for longitudinally inserting terminal block 2, and, on the side opposite top wall 27, is open for connecting terminals 11 to the terminal board of the electronic control system.
  • lateral walls 26 present respective grooves 32 communicating with end opening 23 of casing 3, and designed to receive the lateral edges of plate 7, walls 24 of elements 19 and lateral wings 10a of rib 10.
  • top wall 27 extends in the form of a half shell 33 similar and complementary to half shell 160 of terminal block 2.
  • half shells 160 and 33 define a sleeve for the passage of cables 12.
  • top wall 27 defines a pair of projections 34 by which to manually grip connector 1.
  • Connector 1 also comprises a substantially funnel-shaped, elliptical-section sleeve 35 for protecting cables 12 and comprising a first portion 36 fitted over half shells 33 and 160, and a second smaller-section portion 37 cooperating elastically with cables 12.
  • connector 1 comprises a substantially rectangular peripheral seal 38 fitted about terminal block 2, between this and the inner walls of casing 3, and axially contacting plate 7, walls 24 and lateral wings 10a of rib 10.
  • Connector 1 is assembled as follows.
  • Terminal block 2 complete with terminals 11, is inserted longitudinally inside casing 3, which is only possible by first turning both comb elements 19, from the molding position in Fig.1, inwards of terminal block 2, as shown in Fig.3. In this position, as already stated, terminals 11 are locked inside respective cavities 5; and plate 7, walls 24 of elements 19 and lateral wings 10a of rib 10 are coplanar and thus insertable inside grooves 32 in lateral walls 26 of casing 3.
  • Terminal block 2 is inserted longitudinally inside casing 3 until plate 7 cooperates with end wall 28 of casing 3, and transverse wall 14 of block 2 closes the end opening of casing 3 by fitting between and flush with lateral walls 26. Terminal block 2 is locked axially inside casing 3 by means of screw 31.
  • the connector is connected to the terminal board of the electronic control system in known manner, which is therefore not described in detail. Suffice it to say that connection is made by connecting tooth 22 and elastic element 29 to respective mating elements on the terminal board; terminals 11 cooperate with respective electric terminals on the terminal board, and seal 38 is compressed between plate 7, walls 24 and rib 10, on the one hand, and a rectangular, peripheral contact surface on the terminal board, on the other, thus providing for effective sealing.
  • the connector according to the present invention provides for safe retention of the terminals 11 within the respective cavities 5, as well as for foolproof assembly of the secondary terminal retaining means (comb elements 19), which, unless correctly assembled, prevent assembly of the connector and insertion of block 2 inside casing 3, by cooperating with lateral walls 26.
  • wall 14 is fitted between walls 26, flush with as opposed to frontally contacting the edge of the same, provides for particularly effective sealing when the connector is mounted vertically on the vehicle, with the cables downwards. In this case, any condensate runs off downwards along walls 26, instead of penetrating between walls 26 and wall 14.
  • terminals 11 may be of any type, and, consequently, primary connecting teeth 6 and comb elements 19 of any shape.

Landscapes

  • Connector Housings Or Holding Contact Members (AREA)
  • Coupling Device And Connection With Printed Circuit (AREA)

Claims (4)

  1. Un connecteur électrique (1) comprenant :
    un boítier extérieur (3) ;
    un bloc de bornes (2) logé à l'intérieur du boítier (3) et ayant un certain nombre de cavités traversantes (5) disposées en au moins une rangée parallèle et adjacente à une paroi latérale (4) du bloc de bornes (2) ;
    un certain nombre de bornes électriques (11) logées à l'intérieur des cavités (5) respectives ; et
    des moyens de retenue de bornes (6, 19) pour retenir les bornes (11) à l'intérieur des cavités (5) respectives ;
    les moyens de retenue de bornes comprenant au moins un élément de peigne (19) monté à travers une ouverture (16) dans la paroi latérale (4) du bloc de bornes (2), et ayant un certain nombre de dents (20) séparées entre elles et qui coopèrent avec les bornes (11) respectives,
    caractérisé en ce que les moyens de retenue de bornes comprennent des premiers moyens de verrouillage (6) pour bloquer les bornes (11) à l'intérieur des cavités (5) respectives, l'élément de peigne (19) étant formé d'un seul tenant avec le bloc de bornes (2) et relié à ce dernier par une charnière élastique (18), cet élément de peigne (19) remplissant la fonction de moyens de verrouillage secondaires pour retenir les bornes (11) qui sont bloquées par les premiers moyens de verrouillage (6), comprenant une première paroi (21) articulée d'un seul tenant le long d'un côté du bloc de bornes (2), cette première paroi (21) présentant les dents précitées (20) et pénétrant dans l'ouverture (16) dans la paroi latérale (4), et une seconde paroi (24) s'étendant en direction perpendiculaire à partir du côté opposé de la première paroi (21) et vers l'extérieur du bloc de bornes (2), le boítier (3) coopérant avec l'élément de peigne (19) dans sa position fermée.
  2. Un connecteur selon la revendication 1, caractérisé par le fait que le bloc de bornes (2) présente deux rangées de cavités (5) parallèles et côte à côte, adjacentes à des parois latérales (4) respectives du bloc de bornes (2) ; et une paire d'éléments de peigne (19) articulés sur les parois latérales (4) respectives.
  3. Un connecteur selon la revendication 2, caractérisé par le fait que le boítier (3) présente une paire de guides latéraux intérieurs (32) dans lesquels pénètrent de façon coulissante les secondes parois (24) des éléments de peigne (19).
  4. Un connecteur selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, caractérisé par le fait que le boítier extérieur (3) présente une ouverture d'extrémité (23) pour l'insertion du bloc de bornes (2); le bloc de bornes (2) comprenant une paroi (14) pour fermer l'ouverture (23) sur le boítier extérieur (3), et cette paroi (14) étant ajustée entre les parois latérales (26) du boítier extérieur (3) et affleurant pratiquement ces dernières.
EP92106798A 1991-04-24 1992-04-21 Connecteur électrique Expired - Lifetime EP0510583B2 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
ITTO910096U IT223255Z2 (it) 1991-04-24 1991-04-24 Connettore elettrico
ITTO910096U 1991-04-24

Publications (4)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0510583A2 EP0510583A2 (fr) 1992-10-28
EP0510583A3 EP0510583A3 (en) 1993-07-21
EP0510583B1 EP0510583B1 (fr) 1996-11-20
EP0510583B2 true EP0510583B2 (fr) 1999-08-18

Family

ID=11408916

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP92106798A Expired - Lifetime EP0510583B2 (fr) 1991-04-24 1992-04-21 Connecteur électrique

Country Status (6)

Country Link
US (1) US5282760A (fr)
EP (1) EP0510583B2 (fr)
BR (1) BR9201530A (fr)
DE (1) DE69215265T3 (fr)
ES (1) ES2095978T5 (fr)
IT (1) IT223255Z2 (fr)

Families Citing this family (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
IT1256907B (it) * 1992-07-31 1995-12-27 Framatome Connectors Italia Connettore elettrico.
DE69326696T2 (de) * 1993-11-26 2000-06-08 Molex Inc., Lisle Elektrischer Verbinder mit Deckel und Endlagesicherungsvorrichtung
JP2916576B2 (ja) * 1994-07-22 1999-07-05 矢崎総業株式会社 圧接コネクタ
IT1279111B1 (it) * 1995-02-14 1997-12-04 Framatome Connectors Italia Connettore elettrico.
US5695358A (en) * 1995-06-27 1997-12-09 The Whitaker Corporation Electrical connector with strain relief for a bundle of wires
JPH11250973A (ja) * 1998-03-04 1999-09-17 Yazaki Corp コネクタの係止構造
US6095852A (en) * 1998-12-17 2000-08-01 Yazaki North America, Inc. Connector bracket wire shield with connector retention arms
US7044795B2 (en) * 2003-04-01 2006-05-16 Hamilton Sundstrand Miniature, shielded electrical connector with strain relief
JP4520315B2 (ja) * 2005-01-21 2010-08-04 タイコエレクトロニクスジャパン合同会社 コネクタ用電線カバー

Family Cites Families (10)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4082400A (en) * 1973-11-02 1978-04-04 Robert Bosch Gmbh Multi-pole plug-and-socket connecting arrangement
DE2354795C3 (de) * 1973-11-02 1980-08-21 Robert Bosch Gmbh, 7000 Stuttgart Vielpolige Steckvorrichtung
CA1096951A (fr) * 1978-02-03 1981-03-03 Amp Incorporated Traduction non-disponible
US4200350A (en) * 1978-03-20 1980-04-29 Amp Incorporated Toolless retention system
DE2849077A1 (de) * 1978-11-11 1980-05-14 Bosch Gmbh Robert Vielpolige steckvorrichtung
GB2071926B (en) * 1980-03-13 1984-02-08 Labinal Connector housing with contact retaining means
NL8700210A (nl) * 1987-01-28 1988-08-16 Du Pont Nederland Vermogensconnector.
JPH0719095Y2 (ja) * 1987-04-30 1995-05-01 アンプ・インコ−ポレ−テッド 電気コネクタ
JP2644548B2 (ja) * 1988-09-20 1997-08-25 日本エー・エム・ピー株式会社 電気コネクタ
GB8827756D0 (en) * 1988-11-28 1988-12-29 Amp Great Britain Electrical connector housing assembly

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
DE69215265T2 (de) 1997-05-15
DE69215265T3 (de) 1999-10-28
ITTO910096U1 (it) 1992-10-24
BR9201530A (pt) 1992-12-01
ES2095978T3 (es) 1997-03-01
EP0510583B1 (fr) 1996-11-20
EP0510583A2 (fr) 1992-10-28
ITTO910096V0 (it) 1991-04-24
ES2095978T5 (es) 1999-12-01
IT223255Z2 (it) 1995-06-21
DE69215265D1 (de) 1997-01-02
EP0510583A3 (en) 1993-07-21
US5282760A (en) 1994-02-01

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